First off, I must apologize that I am mostly ignorant as to if I am using the correct terminology, or if I am using the correct terminology, if I'm using it correctly.

Also, apologies if this has been asked before, but I've done a lot of searching around the internet and this site, and didn't find anything to answer my question. I actually feel quite overwhelmed with everything, to be honest...

I am interested in acquiring a step sequencer, either 8 or 16 steps, in the style of the Roland TR-909, 808, etc (not that high-end, but that type of push-button to light up the LED as the beat goes across--my ignorance comes through already, apologies). I don't like the drum machines that have the pads that you push to make your own beat, I like the step sequencing better.

I'm very very open to DIY, and that may be a better option with what I'm asking, but I'm also open to purchasing a unit or finding an old/used/discontinued unit to use, as well. I'm also open to using a DAW to run a the sequencer (I'd have to figure out how to do that, as well, but one thing at a time!), and use Abelton Live as my main synth DAW. A stand-alone unit (by that I mean can plug directly into an amp or mixer or DI box) would be preferable.

Ideas that I've come up with (but they aren't really exactly what I'm looking for)...

You might try getting a copy of the book, "Handmade Electronic Music" by Nicolas Collins. Excellent book for learning begining electronics and a great collection of project from super simple to marginally complex.

On page 208 Collins gives a very clear schematic for 10 step sequencer using the 4017 and driven by a 74C14 chip (although you could very easily sub that for a 555). As part of the project the sequencer plays a VCO chip 4046 (and there are many subs for that IC too). If you Google "Cascading 4017" you'll get a lot of great suggestions for how to chain several 4017 and make a sequencer that can handle quite a few steps beyond 10.

good luck_________________Never confuse beauty with the things that put your mind at ease.

Electribe rules! I bought a used Korg Electribe EMX from Craigslist in December. I wasn't really sure what it was... really had never used a step sequencer before. (just bought my first keyboard in dec. 07, so I'm STIll a Newbie!) I loved all the blinky lights on it though.

Well it turns out to be a really nice step sequencer, so I have learned a lot about what such a beast really is! It has a bunch of drum parts & 5 synth parts. The way it sounds, I'd mostly use it for rthymic, dancey kind of stuff.

I got it because I wanted to get away from the computer (I use REason) and jam along with something in realtime. I am trying to explore whether it would be good for live playing. Along with maybe the digitech jam-man loop pedal?? I can't quite figure out how to make it all fit together for a live set.

Also, turn off the lights in the room and those blinky lites are really groovy looking...way cooler than a laptop._________________The most important gear is the brain behind the instrument.

In my opinion, the Korg ER-1 and EA-1 are the easiest hardware sequencers you will ever use. And, as the EA-1 is a synth as opposed to the ER-1 drum machine, you can use it to trigger another synth via MIDI (monophonic only, unfortunately). I actually use the ER-1 to trigger a hell of a lot of drum synths._________________One Player Game | OPG on SoundCloud

In my opinion, the Korg ER-1 and EA-1 are the easiest hardware sequencers you will ever use. And, as the EA-1 is a synth as opposed to the ER-1 drum machine, you can use it to trigger another synth via MIDI (monophonic only, unfortunately). I actually use the ER-1 to trigger a hell of a lot of drum synths.

Yeah unfortunately I have no idea how to trigger things. Only play them.
I really like my Electribe but it has a limited pallette of sounds, so everything can sound the same after awhile. I can see down the line I might want something that has more advanced capabilities.

You're saying I could somehow MIDI it up to some other synth, and use the Electribe synth pads to play the sounds from, say, a Micron? Yeah that would be cool.

See, that's where we really need some newbie workshops at E-M 10. I can't learn how to set all these MIDI channels & stuff out of a book. I need to see it in realtime._________________The most important gear is the brain behind the instrument.

Would some kind of series of photos with accompanying help text work? Maybe I shouldn't promise too much, but I have an Electribe SX (which I think interface-wise works the same as the EMX, only with fewer synth parts and samples instead of oscillators) and an Ion (which is a larger scale Micron). I haven't tried hooking them up, and it could be fun to see what happens. I've done a fair amount of MIDI-hooking-up in my days, and I feel good when I act like I know stuff.

Would some kind of series of photos with accompanying help text work? Maybe I shouldn't promise too much, but I have an Electribe SX (which I think interface-wise works the same as the EMX, only with fewer synth parts and samples instead of oscillators) and an Ion (which is a larger scale Micron). I haven't tried hooking them up, and it could be fun to see what happens. I've done a fair amount of MIDI-hooking-up in my days, and I feel good when I act like I know stuff.

/Stefan

Yeah! Well I tried hooking the MIDI Out on the Electribe to the MIDI In on the Micron. But I didn't know what to do after that. I'm sure it has something to do with channels. The Electribe has 16 MIDI channels. The Micron doesn't really have channel settings & neither does my Yamaha MM6.

I'd love to have an Ion! I am thinking of selling the Micron on Craigs or something. I really need something with knobs that I can actually tweak. I learned in Reason how to tweak Oscillators, envelopes etc. The Micron programming interface just isn't doing it for me. I wonder what is a recommendation for a Micron replacement (probably 40 some keys) that is more user-friendly._________________The most important gear is the brain behind the instrument.

I really need something with knobs that I can actually tweak. I learned in Reason how to tweak Oscillators, envelopes etc. The Micron programming interface just isn't doing it for me. I wonder what is a recommendation for a Micron replacement (probably 40 some keys) that is more user-friendly.

I bought a Roland SH-201 exactly for that purpose. It's limited in terms of what you can assign LFOs to, etc., but it was immediately satisfying. I would recommend trying it out in a shop first because some people are really turned off by the "lack of warmth" and "cheap construction." I've been very happen with the sound, and I don't plan on moving it off my keyboard stand and out of my studio ever. If you need to move it often for gigs, I would agree with the critics and not recommend it.

Other ones to check out are the Access Virus, anything Dave Smith, and if you're into it - the Moog Little Phatty. Roland also just came out with the Gaia SH-01 Synthesizer, so maybe they wised up and built something sturdier _________________One Player Game | OPG on SoundCloud

Other ones to check out are the Access Virus, anything Dave Smith, and if you're into it - the Moog Little Phatty. Roland also just came out with the Gaia SH-01 Synthesizer, so maybe they wised up and built something sturdier

Someone suggested the Novation Xio 49. I googled that, and it looks pretty good on you tube!!! So now I'm wondering.... Comparison. Alesis Micron vs. Novation!

Those other ones, I bet they're about $1000 more expensive. I'll check 'em out._________________The most important gear is the brain behind the instrument.

Forgot about Novation! A friend recommended the X-Station when I was looking. And yes, they're all very pricey.

DAmn! That's to die for!

Well I don't need to tweak every little thing, but I just recall when I brought the Micron to Jam at the last E-M, it was just clumsy to use. I couldn't find any good sounds...cause instead of saving fave patches to buttons, I had to scroll thru every last one. Then I'd pick a sound and I'd not like it and I wouldn't be able to tweak it at all, unless I wanted to take 10 minutes to program it.

I decided I need something easier to use!_________________The most important gear is the brain behind the instrument.

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